New SoCal rider (took deliver of 2012 Monster 796 w/PICS)

[shamoo]

Cross posted from the Introductions thread.

Hopefully looking to meet people here and go on some rides.  I'm new to the state and it would be nice to make some new friends. 

Want to introduce myself to this forum.  I just moved to Southern California from New Jersey about 3 months ago.  It's been a personal goal of mine since I was 15 years old.  Came here for a job and I'm starting to get nicely situated.  Luckily I have family here already.  Waiting for my home in NJ to sell, before I buy a place here.  In the meantime, I'm staying with my cousins/parents.

A quick background:
I used to race Yamaha TZ250 two strokes in Pocono back in the late 90s.  Initially, I did some pit work for my friend who raced as well.  Jetting the bike, gassing it up, adjusting the suspension, etc.  Soon after, I got my first street bike, a Suzuki GSXR 750.  I was young and immature, and I would speed everywhere.  Rode in shorts/t-shirt (with a helmet of course).  I knew that my maturity level wasn't up to par so I got rid of the bike sometime in 2003. 

Fast forward to 2011.  I loved riding all this time and I promised myself I'd get another bike.  Picked up a preowned Yamaha R6 from a young kid who desperately needed money.  Rode it for about a year and sold it in CA for $100 less than I bought it for.  Of course, now I'm 32 years old, relatively mature , and I ride with safety in mind.

Unfortunately, work is in LA and I live in Irvine.  That's a ~50 mile commute in traffic both ways.  Riding the R6 was fine, but it
was a bit cumbersome over time.  Started to look into other more commuter friendly bikes, and after some help on another forum, I decided on a Monster 796.

I'm also avid car guy.  Went from a highly modified turbocharged Acura Integra in the late 90s, to several Honda S2000s, and to my
current BMW E92 M3.  I do all my own work, so I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on all things mechanical.  Also lovecycling and playing with my camera.  I'm a picture whore, so you'll start seeing a bunch of pics from me here on this forum.

I went to Ducati Newport Beach where Aaron Klink answered all my annoying questions.  Eventually, I decided on the 796.  I came from an R6, so I thought the 696 might be a little too slow, plus it only came with a black frame.  The 1100 Evo didn't come in white, which is the only reason I didn't get it.  So, the 796 was the easy choice here.

The only "upright" bikes I've ridden are my friend's Buell Blast and I test rode the 1100 Evo at the dealer.  I really have to get used
to the riding position, as it's very different than the sportbikes I've been riding in the past.  From what I'm reading here, and from
my experience, I really have to keep the bike in the correct gear/rpm.  Anything less than ~4000rpm and the bike doesn't like it.

Anyway, I hope to learn a lot on this forum.  I have already, based on the lurking I've been doing over the past month or so. 

Onto the pics!!  Snapped with Canon 7D and 24-70mm f/2.8L.  Minor editing on Photoshop since I'm lazy.

In it's stock form.  I don't think I'll really do anything to this bike.  But knowing me...who knows. 



Next to the M, which I still have...for now.



Here are some other pics in random order.  Manuals provided by Ducati.



I never had a pair of riding pants before.  Always rode with jeans.  Anyway, decided to pick up a pair of RevIt over pants.  Fit real
nicely.



Ducati Newport Beach was nice enough to deliver the bike for me.





Don't drop it!



Before delivery, I had them put on a set of Speedymoto frame sliders.  They seem to be the popular choice among Monster owners.



Note still left on from the showroom floor.



My first new bike.  2 miles!  With my 100 mile commute, that number will change pretty quickly. 



Love the red trellis frame.





Another difference between the 796 and the 696 was the red stitching on the seat.



Maybe one day I'll get rid of this big thing and do some fender modification.  For now, this stays.



Wonder how long this will stay clean.





Random pics from my iPhone the prior day when I went to the dealer to sign paperwork.

Mercedes SLS AMG.



Desmocedici RR.



Only 1500 made!  #459 here.  This one is selling for $45K.  The guy said brand new, it was roughly $72K.  Damn.



Cool exhaust exit.



Hope you enjoyed!

[Privateer]

welcome.  There's a handful of people in OC here, me being one.  I work near sand canyon and the 5, but I live up in North OC.

[shamoo]

welcome.  There's a handful of people in OC here, me being one.  I work near sand canyon and the 5, but I live up in North OC.

Ahh, in about 1 week, I'll be living right off of Sand Canyon.  Can't wait to start riding it.   

It still has 2 miles on the odometer.  While I'm thankful that I have family I can stay with here, it's such a pain to have to ask people to move their cars every time I need to ride/drive.  Luckily, my excuse is backed up by the fact it rained a bit. 

[okpanic]

welcome. I work up in tustin off jamboree and live down in San Clemente. You can cure the rpm range problems by changing the sprockets. I went up a tooth in the rear and it took all the shake out of the low rpms

[b.]

Welcome and congrats on the new scoot!

Since you mentioned it, any pics of your S2000s?  I have an AP2 that I've managed to keep stock--but mostly because I spend all the money on the bike.   

[lawbreaker]

Welcome to the Nut-House !!

Live in Whittier and commute daily to L.A area..

I ride Ortega every so often which is not too far from ya..

I think you can ring in at OCDC (O.C Ducati Club).. Nino should still be the main organizer.. Might be a better bet to chime in here to hook up with other O.C riders though..

[red baron]

Congrats and welcome.

[Wang]

Congrats and be safe!

[orangelion03]

Welcome to the party pal!

Plenty of DMFers behind the Orange Curtain for you to play with, but if you ever find your way out west (way, WAY out), hit me up...I'll show you were the REALLY good roads are 

Actually, I kinda envy the arancini ...Ortega, 76, Pala,  Julien, Palomar.

[red baron]

Actually, I kinda envy the arancini ...Ortega, 76, Pala,  Julien, Palomar.

All pale in comparison to the almighty ACH.

[orangelion03]

All pale in comparison to the almighty ACH.

Really?  I love ACH, but on the 33 I dont have to worry about cops, squids, and drunks.  And I can ride it any day of the year   

[red baron]

33 is nice but getting up there was such a bore.


101 freeway.

[The Bearded Duc]

33 is nice but getting up there was such a bore.


101 freeway.

Sucks for most of us in LA or further but the 33 is right in orangelion's back yard. ACH is always my go to, mostly because it only takes me 20 minutes to get there but also because I don't have to deal with all the squids in the Malibu canyons, save for a few of you guys here who ride those roads.

To the OP, if you ever get up around these parts feel free to drop one of us a line. I'm sure someone could organize a ride.